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Deuteronomy 12:1-14

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  Deuteronomy 12:1-14 begin detailing God's statutes and rules for His people, giving instructions regarding worship. Chapters 12-16 primarily focus on God, similar to the first four commandments, while chapters 17-26 focus more on others, similar to the last six commandments. Thus, this passage relates to the first four commandments (see Exodus 20:3-8 or Deuteronomy 5:7-12): You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 1-4 In these verses, Israel is instructed to destroy the pagan places of worship and to avoid worshipping God in the way the Canaanites worshipped their idols. What worldly influences might hinder our ...
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Deuteronomy 11:18-32

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  Deuteronomy 11:18-32 conclude the general exhortations (chapters 5-11) and  lead into details of the law (chapters 12-26). The people are exhorted to integrate God's word into every aspect of their lives, teach it to their children, obey His commands, love the LORD, walk in His ways, and hold fast to Him. Blessings with obedience and curses with disobedience are introduced. Details were given later in chapters 27-28, which were read after taking possession of the Land (see Joshua 8:30-35). Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 18-25 What are some practical ways we can integrate God's word into every aspect of our lives? Verses 26-32 Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal were visible reminders of the blessings with obedience and curses with disobedience.  What visible reminders do I have or can put into place to motivate obedience to the LORD? Verse 28 warns against turning to "other gods that you have not known,"...
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Deuteronomy 11:1-17

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  Deuteronomy 11:1-17 continue to remind Israel of their covenant responsibilities. Verses 1-7 emphasize the LORD's mighty power and discipline, while verses 8-15 highlight His blessings in the Land with obedience. Verses 16-17 close with a warning of drought and barrenness if they turn to other gods. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 1-7 Moses reminds the people of God's disciplinary actions against Egypt (Exodus 7-14) and against Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16). How might reflecting on God's past discipline in my own life motivate greater commitment to loving Him and keeping His commandments? Verses 8-15 In what ways have I experienced God's blessings through obedience to the LORD? Verses 16-17 In what ways might our hearts be deceived when we disobey?
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Deuteronomy 10:12-22

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  Deuteronomy 10:12-22 review Israel's requirements in the re-established covenant.  While circumcision is a sign of the covenant, the emphasis is on the circumcision of the heart . Israel is privileged to be in a covenant relationship with the Creator, the God of gods, the Lord of lords, who is great, mighty, awesome, impartial, just, loving, and praiseworthy. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 12-13 How should God's people live? (Note the verbs used: fear, walk, love, serve, keep .) Verses 14-16 God established circumcision as the sign of the covenant (see Genesis 17:9-14).  However, like verses 14-16, Romans 2:25-29 emphasize the circumcision of the heart. What does "circumcision is a matter of the heart" mean for me? Verses 17-22 What do these verses reveal about my covenant-keeping LORD? For music reflecting this Scripture passage, following is a link to a YouTube video: "We Choose the Fear o...
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Deuteronomy 10:1-11

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  Deuteronomy 10:1-11 recount God's answers to Moses' prayer in chapter 9.  God re-establishes the covenant by writing the commandments on stone tablets as before. In keeping with His promise, Aaron's descendants remain as High Priests, and the LORD continues to be the Levites' inheritance.  Relenting from destroying Israel, God allows them to proceed to the Promise Land. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 1-5 What does the re-establishment of the covenant show me about the LORD? Verses 6-9 1 Peter 2:9 says, " But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. " How can I be most effective in my calling as a "priest" serving the LORD? Verses 10-11 In what ways has God also given me a new start, recovering from past failures?
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Deuteronomy 9:13-29

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  Deuteronomy 9:13-29 contain Moses' crucial intercession to prevent Israel's destruction due to God's wrath over their sin with the golden calf. These verses also include other examples of Israel's stubborn rebellion: Teberah (Numbers 11:1-3): Complaints that led to the fire of the LORD burning among them Massah (Exodus 17:1-7): Testing the LORD with quarrels and grumbling about water Kibroth-hattaavah (Numbers 11:4-34): Food cravings and greed over the quail God provided Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 13-14): Rebellion against entering the Promised Land. Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 13-14 How does sin affect my relationship with God? Verses 15-21 These verses describe Moses' reaction to Israel's rebellion against the LORD.  How do I respond when I see sin within the Church? Verses 22-24 What can I learn from my own history of rebellion against God? Verses 25-29 Following Moses' example, how...
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Deuteronomy 9:1-12

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  Deuteronomy 9:1-12 emphasize that it is God's faithfulness to the covenant and His righteousness in punishing the wicked that will enable Israel to defeat the mighty nations in the Promised Land.  Israel is warned against a proud heart and reminded of their stubborn rebellion from the time they left Egypt to now. Even at Horeb or Mount Sinai, when God was giving them the Commandments, they had made the graven image of a golden calf (ref. Exodus 32).  Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when studying this passage: Verses 1-3 These verses say "today" or "now" is the time when the long-awaited promise of the Land is to be fulfilled. What should I remember when facing something I have long anticipated, know will change my life, but have substantial concerns about? Verses 4-6 These verses remind Israel three times that they are being given the Land NOT because of their righteousness.  How might this also be a warning to me about having...
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